---
product_id: 1992720
title: "Cathedral: By the Author of The Way Things Work"
price: "€ 43.11"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.fr/products/1992720-cathedral-by-the-author-of-the-way-things-work
store_origin: FR
region: France
---

# Translated into 12+ Languages Caldecott Honor Winner Intricate Pen-and-Ink Illustrations Cathedral: By the Author of The Way Things Work

**Price:** € 43.11
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 📚 Build your legacy with a timeless architectural journey!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Cathedral: By the Author of The Way Things Work
- **How much does it cost?** € 43.11 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.fr](https://www.desertcart.fr/products/1992720-cathedral-by-the-author-of-the-way-things-work)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
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## Key Features

- • **Global Literary Icon:** Join millions worldwide who cherish this classic translated into over a dozen languages.
- • **Architectural Time Travel:** Explore centuries-old medieval Europe through vivid storytelling and detailed craftsmanship.
- • **Award-Winning Masterpiece:** Celebrate a Caldecott Honor book that sets the gold standard in children's literature.
- • **Inspiring Future Creators:** Ignite the architect within—perfect for young minds dreaming big and thinking structurally.
- • **Critically Acclaimed Artistry:** Experience New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year with breathtaking pen-and-ink visuals.

## Overview

Cathedral by David Macaulay is a Caldecott Honor-winning illustrated book that masterfully combines history, art, and architecture. Through detailed pen-and-ink drawings and engaging narrative, it brings to life the fictional construction of a medieval cathedral, inspiring readers of all ages and earning global acclaim with translations in over a dozen languages.

## Description

A Caldecott Honor Book Readers worldwide recognize Caldecott Medal winner David Macaulay's imaginary Cathedral of Chutreaux. This critically acclaimed book has been translated into a dozen languages and remains a classic of children's literature and a touchstone for budding architects. Cathedral' s numerous awards include a Caldecott Honor and designation as a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year for Macaulay's intricate pen-and-ink illustrations. Journey back to centuries long ago and visit the fictional people of twelfth-, thirteenth-, and fourteenth-century Europe whose dreams, like Cathedral, stand the test of time.

Review: One of my 100 books to have on a desert island - This book is a great favorite, explaining in depth the inception and building history of a fictitious cathedral. Brilliant drawings.
Review: An excellent and delightful book - This book is truly a treasure for readers of all ages! Anyone interested in cathedrals and architecture in general, will appreciate reading this book. David Macaulay describes every facet of planning and building a fictional medieval cathedral over the span of a few decades. The reader will be introduced to all of the tradesmen, their craft, and the challenges they faced with what we now consider primitive building methods. The book is delightfully educational, and don’t be surprised if your little ones begin dreaming of one day becoming an architect!

## Features

- Caldecott Honor Book

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #44,085 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #4 in Religious Building Architecture #14 in Children's Art History #16 in Children's Architecture Books (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 410 Reviews |

## Images

![Cathedral: By the Author of The Way Things Work - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91K2HrPugqL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of my 100 books to have on a desert island
*by P***M on April 20, 2026*

This book is a great favorite, explaining in depth the inception and building history of a fictitious cathedral. Brilliant drawings.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An excellent and delightful book
*by R***I on July 30, 2025*

This book is truly a treasure for readers of all ages! Anyone interested in cathedrals and architecture in general, will appreciate reading this book. David Macaulay describes every facet of planning and building a fictional medieval cathedral over the span of a few decades. The reader will be introduced to all of the tradesmen, their craft, and the challenges they faced with what we now consider primitive building methods. The book is delightfully educational, and don’t be surprised if your little ones begin dreaming of one day becoming an architect!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A wonderful introduction to architecture and the Middle Ages
*by J***5 on January 9, 2004*

Having just finished a great book called "Great Cathedrals", filled with 400 pages of jaw-dropping photographs, I kept wondering how in the world they could have built such marvelous edifices with rudimentary implements over 800 years ago. David Macaulay's "Cathedral" is a book ostensibly written for children but which will fascinate readers of all ages. In scarcely 80 pages, Macaulay takes us back in time to the year 1252 in the fictional French village of Chutreaux where the people decide to build the "longest, widest, highest and most beautiful cathedral in all of France" for the glory of God. Macaulay's text is minimal, but his exquisite black and white line drawings say it all: the step-by-step stages in the building's construction, the craftsmen and the tools they used, and the dedication that kept this project going for 80 years until its completion. We feel a sense of awe at the dedication of the original architects and craftsmen and builders who knew that they would be long dead before the cathedral was finally finished. Macaulay's glossary at the end of the book helps us to understand the major elements of the Gothic cathedral, and his cross-sections and diagrams provide clear illustration of just how the cathedral rose from its foundations. At the end of this volume, we share the awe and pride the townspeople felt at having shared a goal for over 80 years and making it a reality. Macaulay's "Cathedral" is a marvelous creation in more ways than one.

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*Product available on Desertcart France*
*Store origin: FR*
*Last updated: 2026-09-04*